Gemotions

He straightened his back, attempting a confident posture that immediately felt unnatural. He scanned the faces in the crowd, trying to find a friendly face, a lifeline. The room felt oppressively warm, the noise of the chattering guests suddenly irritating. He was acutely aware of every single physical sensation: the tightness of his collar, the discomfort of his shoes, the prickling sensation of sweat beneath his arms.

He began to speak, his voice wavering with each sentence. He’d envisioned a heartfelt tribute, but the words felt like lead in his mouth. He flubbed a joke, and the forced laughter that followed only made the feeling worse. He struggled to maintain eye contact with anyone, fearing a visible sign of his floundering.

He sensed his siblings' pitying glances. His uncle, a renowned public speaker, was smirking slightly. He wanted to scream. He forced himself to the end, eager to escape this torturous performance.